Funding faux pas

Orland Police Chief Paula Carr has been placed on administrative leave, accused of misappropriating funds from the Police Department’s efforts to raise $50,000 for its K-9 program. Part of that effort was through a recent raffle-ticket sale at the Glenn County Fair. In a statement, Carr (pictured) explains she was operating the booth by herself and she couldn’t leave, so she asked a friend to go to a horse auction and make a bid for her. She gave her friend $1,300 from the K-9 money. She replaced the money in the police bank account on Monday but now realizes, she said, that she used poor judgment.

City Manager Paul Poczobut said an investigation into her actions will go forward. Carr was hired as chief last year from a pool of 30 applicants. Her North State law enforcement career has spanned 25 years, including service with the Chico Police Department. Orland Police Sgt. J.C. Tolle has been named acting chief pending the investigation.